Sunday, October 2, 2016

Deschutes River State Recreation Area in October

Today I went back out to Deschutes River State Recreation Area, a spot I hit this past February. I wanted to see if any fall migrants were in the canyon. I think I missed the peak migration, I should have gone out there two weeks ago. I am hoping this post encourages more birders to try this area next spring and fall. The woodlands and brushy areas along the Deschutes seem like a natural spot for migrants to visit.These Mallards were doing a rather odd trick. The Deschutes was a roaring river, the ducks had somehow grasped the rocks on the river bottom. They stuck their heads under water and just held it there. They could have been nibbling on food attached to the rock in front of them, or they were filtering something out of the water. How can that drake in the middle hang on in that torrent? Any ideas?

I zoomed in on the ducks at top of above photo. They are not moving, they are just sitting there.

I saw the Mallards on may way back out of the canyon in the afternoon. My first good look at a bird in the early morning was this Black-capped Chickadee.

Northern Flickers in fresh plumage are gorgeous birds. They deserve an extra look through the bins.

I climbed up to the road to show all the habitat along the river.

The woods where Gordon Canyon empties into the Deschutes River.

The road heading back to the parking lot, this section heads back down to Gordon Canyon.

These shrubs along the river trail had American Robins, Black-capped Chickadees, Ruby-crowned Kinglets and Yellow-rumped Warblers.

Ebird said my count of 125 Violet-green Swallows was unusual for the date. There were a few large flocks working the river.

According to Sibley, the Pacific form of Bushtit has a brown head that contrasts with the back. The Interior form has a gray head that does not contrast with the back. He mentions the lores on Interior birds tend to be pale. The flock of Bushtits I saw were all Interior, but many seemed to have dark lores.

This American Pipit was part of a large flock working along the river. They liked to sit on the rocks in the middle, this one flew over to my side as I was passing by, thanks!

How can that face not make you smile, love the Huckster.

You try licking your chops while running as fast as you. He is talented. We shall not discuss what he found to eat.